Title: Just This Once, Part 6
Author: Kora
E-mail: KrazyKora or WinterViolet24
Rating: R
Disclaimer: The following characters belong to WWE and all the people and companies who deal with all that legal stuff. I am simply using the characters for my own twisted enjoyment.
Author's Note: This is my first WWE fan fiction and I feel I should point some stuff out so I can avoid flames-
As the days towards Summerslam dragged on, Stephanie felt the knot in her gut grow tighter and tighter. This knot was especially tight at the moment, as Stephanie paced her office. She didn't get to see Shawn much during the day. He spent the time training for Summerslam and she working at Smackdown's offices. But each night they managed to either see one another for a few scant hours or at least get in a lengthy conversation via telephone.
The more of Shawn Stephanie managed to get, the more she liked. Time and again he defied the odds and proved himself different and better from her past beaus. By now she would have found something seriously wrong with him she felt she had to fix or at least would have become tired of him and dreamed of someone else. But Shawn was so fun, so interesting and as each day passed she found herself falling deeper for him.
Perhaps this was why the idea of Summerslam had started the knot inside her. Every time she thought of him stepping into that ring she would shudder. She had faith in him but she couldn't stop the worries from nagging at her.
What if he lost?
What if he embarrassed himself by getting hurt in the first few minutes?
What if Hunter crippled him?
Or worse?
Stephanie felt sick with anxiety. She had no one to talk to about it either. She wished she could speak with Shawn but she didn't want to burden him. Besides, they'd all ready gone over and over it and Shawn had batted away her fears like they were nothing. He was dead positive he would win at Summerslam and not a thing would go wrong. No, what she needed was a good old fashioned girl friend to talk to. Unfortunately, she didn't have one. As if on cue, Dawn stuck her head into her boss' office, "More flowers for you, Ms. McMahon. There's some balloons this time too."
Stephanie gave an unavoidable loopy grin, rolled her eyes, and waved Dawn in. The petite assistant hefted in the items. Shawn had made it almost ritual to send Stephanie flowers at least once a week. This batch was just as impressive as the last, accompanied with colorful helium balloons reading, 'You're someone special'.
Stephanie plucked out the accompanying note, reading it swiftly.
Princess-
Pretty flowers for a pretty lady. Miss you.
HBK
Her knees didn't go weak as they did the first time but she still felt a little tremor go through her. He was such a romantic. She hadn't expected that in Shawn but at the same token his old persona, 'HBK', was supposed to be something of a playboy.
Dawn was all set to get up and leave when Stephanie held up a hand, "No, Dawn, wait. I've been meaning to speak to you for some time now."
Poor Dawn looked like a deer caught in headlights as she shuffled over to Stephanie, rubbing her arms, "Sure, Ms. McMahon. What do you want?"
"Some questions answered. Please have a seat," Stephanie replied diplomatically pointing to a chair across from her desk. Dawn took the seat as Stephanie returned to her desk, questioning dryly, "Dawn, you are, of course, aware that Smackdown and RAW are rivals."
"Y-Yes."
"And that I ask my superstars and other personnel not to watch Eric Bischoff's piece of trash show, RAW, our rival?"
"Yes."
"Then explain to me, Dawn, why my assistant of all people is apparently an avid fan, thus making me look like a fool."
"Ms. McMahon it is NOT my intention to make you look like a fool and I am not a fan of RAW, I swear, I really don't even like Mr. Bischoff's show. Honest! I only started watching it recently because-well, because..."
"Spit it out, Dawn, I have no patience for this."
"Well I-I know you're seeing Mr. Michaels."
Stephanie froze. Dawn knew? First Hunter, now Dawn, did the whole world know? Stephanie's wide eyes and shocked expression must have jarred Dawn because she began to babble nervously, "I know I shouldn't have but I took a peek at the note attached to the first set of flowers you received from him. I figured if they were from Mr. Bischoff again I could dispose of them so as not to trouble you but when I saw the signature 'HBK' I knew it was Mr. Michaels and while I was surprised I was happy for you and figured you would want them and that's why I said they must be from someone who cares about you when they arrived because I didn't want you to throw them away and..."
Dawn trailed off to take a breath, adding, "I just watched to check up on him for you, I didn't mean..."
"No, no Dawn, it's okay." Stephanie replied with a tiny smile. She couldn't help but find Dawn's situation amusing. Part of her knew that at another time in her life she might have been foolishly angry but at this moment she was not. Maybe Shawn was changing her. Changing her for the better.
In fact she knew for a fact that had they tried this relationship in the past they would have never worked. In fact, their relationship wouldn't have been very similar to the one she had shared with Hunter. At one point in her life she had been a stuck-up, vindictive, spoiled little rich girl who would have given him the time of day. As for him he would have played with her for a while then run after some other skirt. The old Shawn Michaels' had been a girl hungry, cocky, stage-humping degenerate. But both of them had grown and matured and now they were at the prime for a grown-up, responsible relationship that caused both of them to change but in better ways.
Of course, Stephanie wasn't quite sure that Shawn had changed that much. He was still cocky and as for mature, well he was more mature...but only by a little. She grinned at those thoughts and turned her attention back towards to Dawn, saying brightly, "While I don't approve of you digging into my affairs, it did end up benefiting me. You were able to tell me when Shawn was injured so I could hurry to his side and I thank you for that. And in a matter of time, Shawn and I plan on letting everyone know about our relationship. We've only kept it under wraps this long for Hunter's sake and he knows now."
"Really?" Dawn asked, her eyes as large as saucers. Stephanie could almost see her drooling, it was obvious the girl was a fan of juicy gossip.
"Yes, Hunter knows and eventually so will everyone else. I don't plan on announcing it in front of Smackdown's cameras or anything of that sort. After all, I've all ready gone through one high-profile public relationship and look how that ended up. No, Shawn and I plan to let people know but we're keeping it quiet, understand?"
Dawn nodded then bravely asked, "So how did Hunter take it?"
Stephanie sighed. She was about to tell Dawn to leave when instead something remarkable happened. Stephanie ended up telling Dawn the whole story. From beginning to end, Dawn listened patiently as Stephanie rehashed the events up to now. How she and Shawn had shared a one night stand but had found they wanted more, a relationship, how Hunter had caught them and how Shawn now faced him at Summerslam. She let out all her insecurities and worries about the matter fall out on the table.
She didn't know why she had chosen Dawn, but Dawn it was who ended up having to hear her vent. Once she was done, Dawn did the amazing. She acted as if she was Stephanie's best friend. She talked to her as if they had been friends for years, offering sage advice, making her laugh and having Stephanie glow like a one hundred watt bulb. When they were finished talking Stephanie found she felt wonderful, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Dawn rose from her seat, taking a peek at the clock, "I've been in here for almost my entire shift! I should get going, I haven't done much work today..."
"Dawn, trust me, you've done a whole load of work. I really appreciate you talking to me, listening to me-it isn't an easy job."
The assistant nodded and Stephanie gave her a grin, "Thanks, Dawn."
"No problem, Stephanie-I mean, Ms. McMahon."
"You can call me Stephanie, Dawn."
"Really?"
"Well...only when were alone in the office. And Dawn? If you don't mind not telling people about this..."
"Don't worry, Stephanie, as far as the outside office personnel is concerned, I'll still refer to you as the ice-queen bitch."
Stephanie was surprised to hear herself laugh at the name, "Thank you."
Dawn left and Stephanie shook her head. A promising new boyfriend, a promising new best friend. For once in her life, she was starting to bat a thousand.
All of Smackdown and RAW's superstars and personnel were staying at various hotels in the Long Island area. Tomorrow night was the big event. Summerslam. Tomorrow Shawn would fight. Tomorrow. Stephanie lay in her hotel bed staring at the ceiling. She rolled around and tried to get comfortable but sleep eluded her. All she could think of was tomorrow. All she could do was worry about what was to come.
Only days ago she had been in San Antonio with Shawn-laughing, happy. She could remember one time in particular. She had been wearing the cowboy hat he'd given her, riding one of his horses. It was a beautiful stallion-strong, sleek, and full of energy. She rode him for hours, making him gallop and leap, racing him in circles. Shawn had been impressed, remarking that she rode the horse like a pro.
"Who would have thought a city girl like you would be so good in the saddle."
"I had riding lessons. Just like any little girl, I wanted to learn to ride horses and be a ballerina."
"Well, I don't know about ballerina but you're great on a horse. I wonder what else you can ride well."
Stephanie had just rolled her eyes. She was getting used to Shawn's corny, sexual innuendoes. No, more than that. She was used to Shawn. And she wasn't bored with him. In fact, she couldn't imagine her life without him now. Couldn't imagine not hearing his laugh or his jokes, not seeing his face.
She pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes. She was being ridiculous. It was a wrestling match. It wasn't like he was going off to war. But then, to Shawn this was a war. A war of pride.
Stephanie got to her feet. She couldn't sleep, she had to see Shawn.
It was easy enough for Stephanie to sneak out of her hotel room and into Shawn's. They had both given each other a copy of their room key. The only reason they weren't staying in the same room was because it would look suspicious. They were planning on letting people know about their relationship soon enough but they had made the decision to wait until after Summerslam. They didn't want the other superstars to think Shawn was fighting Hunter for any other reason besides honor.
Not to mention sharing a room would be too tempting. They had made the decision to not make love again until after they had dated longer. It was tough but they knew their relationship couldn't just rely on physical needs.
Stephanie entered Shawn's room quietly. Her bare feet padding softly on the carpet. She wore a long, billowy nightgown that brushed just below her knees as she walked. She found him in bed, fast asleep. He wore only a pair of gray sweatpants and she found it hard not to drool at the sight of his bare chest. She walked to the edge of the bed.
"Shawn?"
"Hmm-mm?" Shawn mumbled, slowly rising from sleep.
"It's me, Stephanie."
"Steph?" Shawn sat up a bit and yawned, squinting into the darkness, "What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep. Can I stay here with you?"
Shawn bolted up the rest of the way, wide-eyed, "Stephanie..."
"Please. I can't sleep but I need to and...let me stay."
Shawn tried to relax and slowly lowered himself back into bed, "Okay."
Stephanie crawled into bed next to him, her legs brushing his. He swallowed thickly. This was pathetic. He felt like a hormone crazed teen all over again. His whole body hummed and felt heavy, especially where it mattered most. He avoided cursing under his breath as she situated herself in his bed, her warmth and smell washing over him in delicious waves.
She's just here to sleep, nothing else, relax, his mind hissed, if you have to imagine she's your sister or cousin or something.
Shawn knew that wouldn't work, though. None of his female relatives looked half as good as Stephanie. He could feel every little move she made, almost feel her breath as she tried to sleep next to him. Once she seemed settled he could feel sleep drawing at him. His eyes drifted shut again and he let out a breath, ready to fall. Just as he felt darkness about to overcome him, something soft and wet scrapped his jaw.
He moved slightly, mumbling to himself. Suddenly there was warm pressure on top of his body. He opened his eyes and saw Stephanie laying on top of him. Her mouth attached itself to his jaw, lips kissing along the jawbone. He let out a dreamy sigh. He hadn't shaved too long ago and for some reason her mouth felt heavenly on his freshly shaven face. She nipped and licked her way around his face, her lips velvet. They started to scan down his neck to his chest and suddenly icy realization filled him.
Shawn awoke fully, his hands holding her arms gently, "Stephanie, what are you doing?"
"You asked me what else I can ride. I can show you." She whispered and sat up, straddling him.
Oh Jesus, his thoughts prayed as she moved to capture his mouth with her own. Still, he resisted, pulling back, "Stephanie, you don't have to do this."
"What?"
"We don't...we don't have to have sex. We can just sleep together, I mean...I thought that was what you wanted? To build our relationship and then..." Shawn wanted to slap himself as he saw tears fill her eyes. She fell on top of him, burying her face into his neck, crying silently. He ran his hands over her hair, hugging her to him.
"Aw, princess, please don't cry. I didn't mean..."
"No, no you're right," her voice whispered into his ear, her face still against his neck, "I don't really wan to do this, I'm not actually in the mood to make love I just-I thought..."
Stephanie drew away, lifting her body off of his, she sat up in the bed, drawing her knees up to her chest, "I didn't want to be alone. I wanted to be with you. Because I'm so scared about tomorrow."
Shawn sighed and sat up, rubbing a hand over her knee, "Stephanie, it will be fine."
"You keep saying that but what if it isn't? Oh Shawn..." she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. He hugged her back, breathing her in, his eyes closed tight. He had been pushing away her insecurities while battling his own. He felt the weight of them press down on him now and found himself grateful that she had come to him. Now he didn't think he could make it through the night alone either.
Slowly he ushered her back down on to the bed, until they were lying together in each other's arms. Stephanie's whisper reached him as he felt sleep come, "Shawn? I know you can't promise me you won't get hurt but...can you promise me you'll try not to get hurt?"
"Okay, princess, I promise. I'll try." That was the last thing he said before he fell asleep.